Frugal frump to Fab - Astonishing Autum Exquinox to Wondrous Winter Solstice

mineallmine

Thanks WW. Still weak but hoping to keep it up.

Thanks evilsquid. Not heard of clean and lean or my fitness pal. May have to do some research there.

Feeling quite unfab this evening. Need some food and rest. :A

Hewie29

EH - sorry to hear about your job, I do hope something else comes along for you soon xxxx

LL - sorry to hear about your dad xxxx

Mum has been told she can come home tomorrow, they have the carers in place. I am a little worried about my dad, he seems to be in denial and not accepting that mum will not get better. He was with us when the consultant said that it was incurable and she didn't have long left. He was also told that chemo prob wouldn't be a good idea as it comes with its own problems. and today when I told him that Marie Curie will be doing the night time care when needed he said 'oh so they don't think she's going to get better'. I hate being the one to keep telling him as I have to tell him quite matter of factly or I get upset and it does come across like I don't care, but I do, very much so. Me and my husband sat down with him on Sunday and explained to him why they weren't doing chemo. I guess its hard when to accept when its your life partner.

Once again thanks for listening.

xxxx

Bitsy_Beans

Hewie really,pleased your mum is coming home sorry to see your dad is struggling with acceptance. I am sure he will come to terms with it one way or another. Perhaps it's his defence mechanism to the pain and upset of it all. Hugs for you all xxx

Well today was supposed to be a fast day but ended up anything but
House has been valued, got one more tomorrow so hopefully by the start of next week it will be on the market. Kids will be happy as we can put the Christmas tree up once pics are taken :j

Mineallmine my fitness pal is an app you can download. It's free

Sparkles glad cellar wasn't too flooded x

LL sorry to hear OH wasn't too good today xxx

lessonlearned

Hi Hewie - sorry to hear that your Dad is struggling to come to terms with your mum's illness and prognosis. I do think it takes time to reach a level of acceptance.

When my OH first became ill and we became aware of the prognosis I was poleaxed. I couldn't eat. sleep, had panic attacks, migraines, my teeth hurt, my body was a mass of aches and pains. There were days when I felt as if I had gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Eventually nature took over, things evened out, and I got through it. I still weep from time to time but I can keep it under control now.

My husband and I have developed a very dark macabre sense of humour, just like most doctors and medics do. Humour and off colour jokes do help..We just try to live each day and take it as it comes.

I see my father struggling to come to terms with Mum's dementia, like your father he just can't accept it and is in total denial. I can't seem to help him. I suppose we just have to give them time to reach some form of equilibrium.

Dad was taken into hospital earlier tonight, the bleeding flared up again. BIL has gone with him and my sister has stayed with mum. Just waiting to see if he is being kept in.

So we'll just have to see what tomorrow brings......

I am very concerned about what is happening. My friend's 94 year old mother fell the other day, she spent 8 hours on a trolley in A&E. :eek:

They decided she could go home, they made her stand up, she fell again and ended up with concussion.

At least no-one argues with BIL. 6'2", built like a Rugby player, gentle as a lamb but he will speak up and he will be heard. My dad will be safe with BIL to watch out for him.

I've chatted to my sister and we think we might have to get mum into some respite care for a little while. Dad really is out of his depth now and his health is suffering.

What a worry elderly parents are, the tables are well and truly turned now, the child becomes the parent and guardian.

I was thinking the other day about my English grandparents, they both died in their early 50's. They were ancient and decrepit, their bodies wrecked and ruined by hardship. They died from natural causes, they were just worn out. Today's 50 and 60 somethings are almost a different species.

Bitsy - Good luck with the house. Fingers crossed.

bratz81

LL - sorry to hear about your dad and hope he gets better soon.

everhopeful - sorry to hear about the redundancy. I know how you feel, I was made redundant in 2010 and the shock and fear of not getting another job is awful. I definitely found it a blessing in disguise though and hopefully you will too.

Not much fabbing to report, went and made a start on Xmas shopping last night and got home exhausted and wrung out. I hate crowds at the best of times but around this time of year everyone seems so rude and pushing and shoving. Eurgh I hate it.

mineallmine

Thanks Bitsy I've now downloaded it and will take a look. Been looking at lean and clean Evilsquid too. That's really interesting.

So glad to hear Mum is coming home Hewie. The focus is on being comfortable. Your Dad will take it in slowly. It's happening so fast for everyone. Give everyone an extra hug from all of us.

Your BIL sounds great LL. I wish I had him on occasion! Hope Dad gets the treatment he needs asap.

Walk done. Baby steps. Had a healthy breakfast of scrambled egg. Perfume on. Look very unfab but hoping moving a bit more and eating a bit better will make me look and feel better.

:A

podperson

Morning all,

Just a quick one this morning so won't comment individually but:
EH - I'm really sorry about the job. I know it seems bad now but maybe this is going to turn out to be an opportunity for you to find something much better.
LL - hope your dad's ok, glad you have someone going with him to fight his corner (it shouldn't be needed but sadly it seems to be these days).
Hewie - great news on your mum being able to come home. I'm sure your dad will start to accept things in time, I think a bit of denial is quite normal in the circumstances when it must be such a big shock for him (well, for all you I'm sure).

Well, manic busy as usual, still behind on the writing Did go to choir last night so was nice to have a bit of a break. There's meant to be a Christmas busking date on Thursday, am not sure if I'll make that yet, so much to do and not sure if can get there from work in time, and then the choir Christmas 'night out' on Friday. I have got tickets for that but am umming a bit now, the place they picked is quite pricey plus right across town, so with drinks and taxi is going to be an expensive night when money is already tight at the moment. It's the last day for Nano and I had originally planned to do a late one if I was still behind (which I am!) and then I have nothing to wear. I'm feeling a bit frumpy this week, my scales are still broken so don't know if I've gained but I definately feel podgy Will see how it goes, OH is meant to be going as well so I think he'll be a bit annoyed at me if I don't go.

Bitsy_Beans

Evening ladies.

I am shattered. A hot bath has my name on it later.
Final house valuation was done and estate agent has been instructed. They come tomorrow to take pics and measure up :j

I ended up doing more crisis cleaning of the outside variety. It occurred to me that back Garden hadn't been touched with leaves so have quickly raked and tidied up. Got of the remainder of leaves out the from front garden too. Really don't want inside of house to shine and the garden to look unloved. It's winter so it was never going to look great but least its tidy.

It's been a fast day today. Sort of I cope better when the kids aren't here for some reason....they come home and want food and it sets me off :o

Pod have a hug and <shoo> to the frumpy feeling xx

LL sorry your dads not good xx

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Had a good and very productive day.

Dad home and SS are sending extra carers for a couple of weeks to see how things go.

I went to physio and am under strict instructions - no scrabbling around the loft - no lugging stuff around. Apparently I need to learn how to delegate.:D

I'm going to take that on board this time. DS2 had already given me a lecture so I guess I need to start listening and learn to allow others to do the heavy stuff from now on. Goes against the grain though, I do prefer to be independent.

So DS2 has been in the loft and loaded up the car with the large heavy items ready for a trip to the tip tomorrow. I can go through the bags, boxes etc over the next few days and just take a couple of bags to the charity shops each day.

We are also taking the opportunity whilst he's off to do some shopping around re utility bills etc. - all part of the new regime. I want our budget to be lean and mean.

Talking about lean and mean, I've started a major wardrobe declutter. I'm being ruthless.. Yesterday I've chucked out three coats, 6 skirts, 1 pr of jeans plus a load of t-shirts and tops belonging to OH. Also bedlinens etc. How many spare pillows do you actually need:o

Bitsy - many would be purchasers often do a quick "drive-by" as a preliminary check before booking a viewing, so you are spot on in making your garden look as nice as possible. Very difficult this time of year because everything is in sleep mode. A good tip is to add a bit of cheap winter colour, pansies, primroses and cheap evergreens such as trailing ivy.

Of course you should put up your Christmas decorations once the photos are done. Create a winter wonderland with a well dressed tree, fairy lights, some winter pot pourri, candles etc - it will help sell the family lifestyle - probably your target market. Don't worry about a few toys - it all adds to the "homeliness". Make it warm and cosy and your viewers will be charmed.

PP - I know what you mean about "Christmas Dos" - the cost can escalate alarmingly. I'm going out with the book group next Monday for dinner. It's local and I won't be drinking so no taxi.

I certainly won't be buying a new outfit. I have a nice velvet jacket
so that will be dressy enough.

I too am feeling a bit frumpy and bloated. I've been so busy that meals and snacks have been "quick fixes", a bit heavy on the carbs.
I definitely need to tackle that.

One step at a time - remembering that elephant.:D

podperson

Thanks guys x
LL - that's just what I've been like, so busy that just haven't been bothered with cooking properly or making the effort to do any exercise. I was at least trying to get out and walk a bit before but that's gone to pot as well. Think I need to have a reassess this weekend and try to get back on track.